Steel profiles for glass

About stainless steel cap profiles for glass

A cap profile for glass is a stainless steel U-section that seats on the edge of a glass panel and closes it.

It differs from a handrail in purpose: a handrail is something you hold, while a profile is an edge capping – it protects the glass arris and gives a finished line where no grab rail is needed.

That makes it a common choice for the bottom edges of partitions, for Juliet balconies, and for glass panels whose top edge is out of reach.

Strofix supplies profiles for 8, 10, 12.76 and 21.52 mm glass, 2500 mm long, in AISI 304 satin. Two versions are available as sets.

The choice depends on glass thickness and on whether you need the profile alone or a complete set.

How to choose a steel cap profile

1. Glass thickness: 8, 10, 12.76 or 21.52 mm

Unlike a handrail, where the gasket adapts the slot, these profiles are made for a specific glass thickness.

Order to your actual glass. 12.76 mm corresponds to laminated 66.2 glass – the most common thickness for balustrades.

2. Profile alone or as a set

The standalone profile is the steel section itself.

The set (available for 8 and 10 mm glass) includes the profile together with the parts needed to install it, so nothing is missing on site.

3. Length and joints

Profile length is 2500 mm. Longer runs are made by butting profiles end to end.

Plan the joints so they do not coincide with the glass panel joints – two joints in one place are visually obvious.

4. Steel or aluminium

The stainless steel profile is stiffer, heavier and more resistant to scratching and outdoor exposure.

The anodised aluminium profile is lighter and cheaper, and a corner element is available for it. If the profile is outdoors and gets touched, choose steel.